‘Fowl noise’ couple called in

A couple have been called to a council headquarters – because of complaints about their guinea fowl.

Maurice and Phyllis Dainty, 69 and 71, were first served with a statutory noise nuisance notice last year and were given 21 days to move their 34 guinea fowl from their home on Oakenclough Road, Scorton.

If they did not do this, they faced a possible fine of up to £5,000, following complaints from neighbours.

But after not hearing anything for a while, they have now received a call asking them to attend Wyre Council’s HQ in Poulton. Wyre Council confirmed it has asked to see the couple “under caution”.

A spokeswoman said: “The council is currently investigating a case of noise nuisance and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

“Asking to talk to them under caution is part of the investigation process and means the interview will be recorded. It is standard practice.”

Mr Dainty said the council sent him a letter saying that, since the abatement notice was served, it had received “continuous complaints” and was therefore inviting them both to attend the civic centre ‘for a general discussion about the complaint’.

It states: “For your benefit the interview will be taped and carried out under caution.”

Mr Dainty said: “I have offered for them to put a noise meter in our house and one in the neighbour’s and never heard anything. We thought it had gone away.

“I’ve never had anything to do with the police but I thought if you got cautioned with the police you got arrested.

“If they want to talk to me about this, they’ve to come here.”

He added as a couple they had kept guinea fowl continuously for 50 years and three previous neighbours at their present home had raised no complaints about their fowl.

“It just seems ridiculous, surely a council should have better things to do than mess about with this,” he added.

Wyre Council had initially replied saying: “The point of the interview is to listen to Mr and Mrs Dainty’s point of view, but also to discuss with them our concerns as a council, due to the fact we have already served a statutory noise nuisance notice, which remains in force.”